NWS Weather Briefing

This is a message from ReadyChesco.

Emergency Management Partners and Stakeholders,

Attached is the latest weather briefing from the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, NJ regarding a coastal storm that is expected to affect the region tonight, Monday night (March 13^th) through Wednesday morning (March 15^th)

Hazards with this storm include accumulating snow, coastal flooding, and strong winds. At the current time snow totals forecasted for Chester County have expanded from as little as 8 inches to as high at 24 inches.

Key Updates:

• A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Chester County commencing at 8:00pm on Monday 3/13 and is expected to expire on Tuesday 3/14 at 6:00pm; this is a result of winds gust expected to exceed the 35mph threshold in the county.
• Snow amounts for the southern portion of Chester County is showing a range 8-12 inches
• Snow amount for the middle portion of Chester County is showing a range of 12-18 inches
• Snow amount for the northern portion of Chester County is showing 18-24 inches
• Heaviest precipitation and strongest winds to occur late Monday night into Tuesday afternoon

Chester County Forecasted Conditions:

• Anticipated Timing: Snow starting tonight mainly after 11 PM, snow will continue during the day on Tuesday.  Snow is forecasted mainly before 7 pm on Tuesday and will taper off Tuesday night into Wednesday.  

• Precipitation: Snow starting Monday night mainly after 11 PM with 3 – 7 inches possible, snow will continue during the day on Tuesday with an additional 7 – 11 inches possible.  Snow is forecasted mainly before 7 pm on Tuesday but there will remain a chance of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. 

• Active watches & warnings: Blizzard Warning March 13^th, 8:00 PM until March 14^th 6:00 PM

Impacts:

• Accumulating snow Monday night into Tuesday night.
• There could be major impacts to travel especially late Monday night during the day Tuesday.
• Snow and wind could cause down power lines and possible widespread power outages
• The heavy snow will make many roads impassable.
• Strong winds will lead to blowing snow and reduced visibility.

DES Actions:

• We will continue to monitor this event and provide additional information as it becomes available.
• The Watch Officer is available through the 911 Supervisor – 610-344-5100.
• Knowledge Center Parent Incident opened - 35127 - Winter Storm 3/13-3/15 Chester Co Parent
• Watch Officer will be staffed in the 911 Center starting 03/13/2017 at 11:00 PM
• EOC will transition to Level III (Limited) activation starting 03/14/2017 at 04:00 AM

This will be the last briefing package unless significant changes in the forecast develop.  We recommend you please follow your local NWS forecasts going forward. At a minimum, they will be updated every three hours.  Additionally, we recommend monitoring local news forecasts; they will track any changes that may develop.

For a detailed forecast for your area you can visit the NWS site using the links below

Coatesville          http://bit.ly/coatesville_forecast
Cochranville       http://bit.ly/cochranville_forecast
Downingtown   http://bit.ly/downingtown_forecast
Elverson               http://bit.ly/elverson_forecast
Kennett               http://bit.ly/kennett_forecast
Malvern               http://bit.ly/malvern_forecast
Oxford                  http://bit.ly/oxford_forecast
Phoenixville       http://bit.ly/phoenixville_forecast
Pottstown           http://bit.ly/pottstown_forecast
Wayne                  http://bit.ly/wayne_forecast
West Chester    http://bit.ly/west_chester_forecast
West Grove        http://bit.ly/west_grove_forecast

Chester County Watch Officer

Use the links above to confirm/respond to the message. Do not reply directly to this email.  This is being sent from an un-monitored account.

Update your preferences and information you receive at www.ReadyChesco.org